CN116249611A

CN116249611A - Vehicle decorative member with contour light

Info

Publication number: CN116249611A
Application number: CN202180064708.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·布斯托; S·派勒斯
Original assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Current assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Priority date: 2020-12-17
Filing date: 2021-12-06
Publication date: 2023-06-09
Also published as: US20240001839A1; WO2022128552A2; WO2022128552A3; DE102020133876A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle decorative member having a contour light. The decorative component (1) is produced as a material-locking composite from at least two plastic components (3K, 4K) in a multicomponent injection molding process, a first plastic component (3K) of the at least two plastic components (3K, 4K) being produced from a galvanically coatable or paintable material and forming the decorative component (1) and a second plastic component (4K) of the at least two plastic components (3K, 4K) being produced from a transparent or translucent and galvanically inert material and forming a contour light region which is transparent to the light conductor element (20). The second plastic component (4K) is arranged adjacent to the first plastic component (3K) on the rear side thereof and partially covers the rear side of the first plastic component (3K). The component part (3) made of the first plastic component (3K) serves to fasten and fix the rear-side light-conducting element (20).

Description

Vehicle decorative member with contour light

Technical Field

The invention relates to a vehicle trim component with a contour-light, which can be used in a vehicle with a light conductor element mounted therein for ambient lighting, for example a radiator grille.

Background

A decorative element with a contour-light, which is produced as a material-bonded composite from at least two plastic components, is known from DE102016100629 A1. A first of the plastic components is electroplatable and forms a decorative element. At least one second of the plastic components is galvanically inert (galvanoinert), which is uncoated and unchanged undergoes a galvanization process and forms a transilluminated contour light zone. The component section made of the second plastic component spans, covers or otherwise involves a transilluminated contour light region and the rear side of the component section of the first plastic component, which has a favorable effect on the deformation or warping of the component. The fastening elements of the decorative element, such as hooks or latching elements, are formed from a non-galvanizable component. Fastening or fixing of the rear-mounted light-emitting component and fixing of the decorative strip to the carrier is effected on the non-galvanizable second component.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle trim component with a contour light, which can be constructed more compactly than prior art vehicle trim components and by means of which a fine contour light solution can be achieved with high optical quality. Another object is to provide a method for producing a vehicle trim component with a contour light, by means of which a compact vehicle trim component of high optical quality can be produced in a simple, reliable and cost-effective manner.

This object is achieved by a vehicle trim component according to the features of claim 1 and a method according to the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.

A vehicle trim member having a contour light is provided that is more compact in construction than the prior art, can be manufactured as a composite, and has an aesthetically attractive appearance. This is achieved in that the decorative element is produced from at least two plastic components in a multicomponent injection molding process as a composite body which is bonded to one another. A first plastic component of the at least two plastic components is made of a galvanically coatable material or a paintable material and forms the decorative member. The second of the at least two plastic components is made of a transparent or translucent, galvanically inert material and forms a contour light area which is transparent to the light conductor element. The second plastic component is disposed adjacent to the first plastic component on the rear side of the first plastic component and partially covers the rear side of the first plastic component. The vehicle trim component is characterized in that the component part made of the first plastic component is responsible for fastening and securing the light conductor element arranged on the rear side.

By making the second plastic component only partially cover the rear side of the first plastic component made of a galvanically coatable material or a paintable material, the fastening and fixing of the light conductor element arranged on the rear side can be taken care of or undertaken by the component part made of the first plastic component. On the one hand, a larger installation space is thereby created on the rear side of the trim part, since the second plastic component only partially covers the rear side of the first plastic component. This allows for a simple manufacture of the trim component, since the installation space for the tool is increased. Since the parts responsible for fixing the light conductor elements furthermore do not have to pass through the second plastic component, the production is also simplified in terms of releasability. Furthermore, dishing or shrinkage that affects the appearance can be reliably avoided. Further, the degree of freedom for fastening and fixing the light conductor element is improved. Since the element of the second plastic component is not used for fixing the decorative member, the risk of optical defects in the profile-light region due to mechanical deformations is reduced. Whereby the optical quality can be better ensured.

The first plastic component may be made, for example, from a copolymer containing butadiene dimer. The second plastic component may be made of transparent, translucent or light-scattering amorphous Polyamide (PA). In particular, polycarbonate (PC) can be used. Alternatively, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) can be considered as a material. The components made of Polyamide (PA) or Polycarbonate (PC) allow transillumination, so that the desired contour light solution can be achieved thereby.

In one embodiment, the fixation of the light-guiding element is achieved by means of at least one tab directed in the rear direction. In addition to its mechanical function, the at least one tab portion directed in the direction of the rear side of the trim member may also perform a light guiding function. For this purpose, the surface of the at least one tab portion may be provided with a corresponding reflective surface. This may be, for example, a material which is applied to the first plastic component in the context of an electroplating or painting process.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, a material transition of the first and second plastic component is realized in the region of the material joint formed between the component parts made of the first plastic component and the component parts made of the second plastic component, which material transition extends continuously and without abrupt wall thickness changes. The continuous material transition enables a material-locking composite of approximately continuous thickness to be produced in the region of the material joint, whereby no material deflection or visually perceptible shrinkage or recess is produced.

It is furthermore expedient to produce a step with a height of at least 0.5mm in the front region of the material joint. This ensures that a defined material transition is achieved, wherein the coating of the first plastic component can be applied precisely up to the material joint or exactly up to the material joint. This also enables high quality optical quality.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the component part made of the first plastic component is provided on the front side with a protective layer composite formed from at least one paint layer. This allows not only the optical properties to be adjusted in a desired manner, but also mechanical protection. Thus, the trim member can be used not only as a vehicle interior component but also as an exterior component.

A further suitable embodiment provides that, alternatively or additionally, the contour light region is provided on the front side with a protective layer composite formed from at least one paint layer. In particular, a protective layer can also be provided here by means of the protective layer composite structure, which is adapted to a wide variety of environmental conditions.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the first lacquer layer is made of a tacky, transparent or tinted translucent material, which is applied without further intermediate layers to the component parts made of the first plastic component and/or to the contour light regions. Special optical effects, such as dyeing or metallizing, can be achieved by means of the first lacquer layer.

Suitably, the second paint layer is made of a transparent and mechanically and chemically stable material. In one variant, the second paint layer may be applied directly to the first paint layer. In a further variant, the second lacquer layer can be applied directly, i.e. without the first layer, to the component parts and/or the contour light regions made of the first plastic component. The second paint layer mainly provides protection characteristics adapted to the external environmental conditions.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the composite body formed by the component part made of the first plastic component and the component part made of the second plastic component is produced together with the inner component carrier by means of an adhesive or welded connection. This connection enables at the same time a sealing of the rear side of the vehicle trim component with respect to the interior component carrier.

The invention also provides a method for producing a vehicle trim component with contour light of the above-described type according to one or more embodiment variants. The following steps are carried out in the context of manufacture:

in a first step a), a connection is established in a multicomponent injection molding method between a first plastic component made of a galvanically coatable or paintable material and a second plastic component made of a transparent or translucent, galvanically inert material. Then, in step b), the composite produced in step a) is electroplated or lacquered, wherein an electroplated layer or lacquer layer is formed only on the first plastic component. The areas formed by the galvanically inert second plastic component remain exposed, whereby a transilluminated contour light area is realized. In step c), the electroplated or lacquered composite body is subjected to a front-side surface treatment.

By the method according to the invention a vehicle trim component is provided which has a high surface quality and at the same time a high strength with respect to wear and environmental influences.

According to a suitable embodiment, the surface treatment comprises activation or activation of the front surface of the composite body with a low-pressure plasma in a plasma device. Preferably the surface treatment comprises activating the front side surface in the plasma apparatus at a negative pressure of 0.15mbar and with water vapour as process gas.

Further, it is desirable that the surface treatment includes: the front side of the component part made of the first plastic component, which is a plated or lacquered composite, is provided with a protective layer composite structure formed from at least one lacquer layer. Alternatively or additionally, the surface treatment comprises in particular: a protective layer composite formed from at least one paint layer is provided on the front side for the contour light region.

The first paint layer of a tacky, transparent or tinted translucent material is expediently applied on the front side on the electroplated or lacquered composite body, more precisely without further intermediate layers, on the component parts made of the first plastic component and/or the contour light region. Alternatively or additionally, a second paint layer made of a transparent and mechanically and chemically stable material can be applied on the front side on the electroplated or lacquered composite body.

Drawings

The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the figures by means of examples.

The only figure shows a cross-section through a vehicle trim component with a contour light according to the invention, which trim component is embodied, for example, as a frame of a radiator grille as an exterior component.

Detailed Description

The vehicle trim component is a galvanically decorated trim component 1 and is produced from two

plastic components

3K, 4K as a composite of a material closure. The connection of the

plastic components

3K, 4K is thus held together by atomic or molecular forces. The connection is not releasable. The connection is established in a known multicomponent injection molding process.

One of the two plastic components (which is referred to below as the first plastic component 3K) is made of a galvanizable or paintable material. It forms the ornamental member 1. In this example, the first plastic component 3K is made of, for example, a butadiene-containing copolymer. Other materials are also conceivable as long as they are electroplatable or paintable.

The other plastic component (which is referred to below as the second plastic component 4K) is galvanically inert. Within the meaning of the present invention, this is to be understood as meaning that the second plastic component 4K is uncoated and is subjected unchanged to an electroplating or painting process. Thus, no metal deposit or coating is deposited on the second plastic component 4K during the electroplating or painting process.

The component part 4 made of the second plastic component 4K forms the transilluminatable contour light region 2. In the present exemplary embodiment, the second plastic component 4K spans, covers or otherwise relates to a part of the rear component section of the first plastic component 3K. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the second plastic component 4K forms the rear side of the upper section of the component part 3 made of the first plastic component 3K, while the lower section of the component part 3 is not covered by the second plastic component 4K.

The second plastic component 4K is made of transparent, translucent or light-scattering amorphous Polyamide (PA). Preferably, the plastic component 4K is made of Polycarbonate (PC). Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) may also be used.

In cross section, the trim member 1 has a substantially horizontally arranged "U" shape. The light-conductor element 20 is arranged on the rear side 5 of the trim member, which may be regarded as an "inner space" of the trim member 1. The light-conductor element 20 is held or fixed by a component section of the lower section of the component part 3 made of the first plastic component 3K. For this purpose, for example, the web portion 21 of the light-guiding element 20 is connected to a component section of the component part 3 which is embodied as the web portion 6. A light guide holding element 22 is further provided on the rear side, which is fastened to the inner component carrier 23 on the side facing away from the profile-light zone 2 by means of an adhesive, such as an adhesive. In order to provide the greatest possible connection surface, the light guide holding element 22 has a section which is directed away from the profile-light region 2 and protrudes through the sealing device 4, for example in the direction of the inner component carrier 23.

The rear ends 17, 18 of the composite body formed by the component parts 3 and 4 are connected to the inner component carrier 23, which connection 24 is preferably realized by means of gluing or welding. Alternatively, a (releasable or non-releasable) latching connection may also be provided. A seal, which is only schematically shown at the rear end 17, can be made by means of the connection 24, so that the light-conductor element 20 enclosed between the decorative element 1 and the inner component carrier 23 is hermetically closed from environmental influences.

The interior component carrier 23 also serves for accommodating cables 26 and for fixing a decorative grille 27, such as a radiator grille of a vehicle. In this case, the decorative member 1 forms, for example, a frame of the radiator grille or the decorative grille 27 or is a part of the radiator grille.

As described above, the member portion 3 made of the first plastic component 3K is configured in a U shape. In the present embodiment, the component part 4 made of the second plastic component 4K is provided only on the upper section of the component part 3. On the lower part of the component part 3, the tab parts required for fixing the light-conductor element 20 are provided, in particular without passing through or protruding through the component part 4. In a modification, the component part 4 made of the second plastic component 4K may be provided only on the lower section of the component part 3. In this case, the tab portion required for fixing the light conductor element 20 will be provided on the upper part of the component part 3, in particular without passing through or protruding past the component part 4.

In order to obtain a sound appearance on the front side 13 of the decorative component, a material transition 7, 10 of the first plastic component 3K and of the second plastic component 4K is realized in the region of the material joint 8, 11 formed between the component part 3 made of the first plastic component 3K and the component part 4 made of the second plastic component 4K, such that the material transition is continuous and free from abrupt wall thickness changes. Furthermore, in the front region of the material joints 8, 11, steps 9, 12 are each produced, which have a height of at least 0.5mm, whereby flexing during injection molding can be avoided and at the same time a clean coating of the first plastic component 3K can be achieved during electroplating or painting.

The material transition, which is realized continuously and without abrupt wall thickness changes, is produced by an approximately constant wall thickness of the composite part.

The provision of a tab portion for fastening on the lower section of the component part 3 (in the present exemplary embodiment) on which the second plastic component 4K is not provided enables simple production, in particular simple installation of the mold and demolding tool.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the decorative element 1 is provided on the front side with a protective layer composite 14 formed by two

paint layers

15, 16. In the present exemplary embodiment, the protective layer composite 14 is applied both to the component part 3 made of the first plastic component 3K and to the component part 4 made of the second plastic component 4K, i.e. the contour light region 2. This is not mandatory, but rather the protective layer composite structure may be applied either only to the component part 3 or only to the contour light region 4.

The protective layer composite 14 comprises a first lacquer layer 15 made of a tacky, transparent or tinted translucent material, which is applied without further intermediate layers to the component part 3 made of the first plastic component 3K and to the contour light zone 2. Special effects can be achieved by means of dyed translucent materials. In particular, the component part 3 can be colored or metal-colored, for example. The second paint layer 16 is made of a transparent and mechanically and chemically stable material and forms the outermost layer of the protective layer composite structure 14.

The decorative element according to the invention is manufactured in a manner known per se. First, a connection between the two

plastic components

3K and 4K is established in a two-component injection molding process. Subsequently, a plating or painting is carried out, which is deposited only on the platable first plastic component 3K. The region (contour light region) formed by the galvanically inert second plastic component 4K remains exposed, as a result of which a transilluminated contour light region 2 is realized. The contour light regions 2 and the component regions to be electroplated are geometrically designed such that they form a clear and precise contour of the deposit layer during electroplating or of the paint layer during painting up to the material junction of the two

plastic components

3K, 4K.

Since the vehicle decorative member is provided as an exterior part, the electroplated or painted composite is then subjected to a front side surface treatment. First, the front surface is activated in a plasma apparatus with a low-pressure plasma, in particular at a negative pressure of 0.15mbar, and with water vapor as process gas. Then, a protective layer composite structure formed by at least one

paint layer

15, 16 is applied. Preferably, a lacquer layer 15 is first applied as an adhesion-promoting layer, which is optionally transparent or has a translucent coloration.

Thereafter, the painting is carried out with a second paint layer 16 which is transparent and forms the outer surface. The second paint layer meets the requirements in terms of mechanical and chemical stability.

List of reference numerals

1. Decorative member

2. Contour light

3. Component part made of a first plastic component

3K first plastics component

4. Component part made of a second plastic component

4K second plastics component

5. Rear side

6. Fixing part (tab part)

7. First material transition

8. First material joint

9. A first step part

10. Second material transition

11. Second material joint

12. A second step part

13. Front side

14. Protective layer composite structure

15. First paint layer

16. Second paint layer

17. Rear end of composite formed by component parts 3 and 4

18. Rear end of composite formed by component parts 3 and 4

20. Optical conductor element

21. Tab portion of optical conductor element

22. Light guide holding element

23. Internal component carrier

24. Sealing arrangement

25. Adhesive agent

26. Cable with improved cable characteristics

27. Decorative grille

Claims

1. A vehicle trim component with a contour light, wherein the trim component (1) is produced as a material-locked composite from at least two plastic components (3K, 4K) in a multicomponent injection molding process, a first plastic component (3K) of the at least two plastic components (3K, 4K) being produced from a galvanically coatable or lacquerable material and forming the trim component (1), and a second plastic component (4K) of the at least two plastic components (3K, 4K) being produced from a transparent or translucent and galvanically inert material and forming a contour light region which can be transilluminated by a light guide element (20), wherein the second plastic component (4K) is arranged adjacent to the first plastic component on the rear side of the first plastic component (3K) and partially covers the rear side of the first plastic component (3K), characterized in that the component part (3) produced from the first plastic component (3K) is responsible for fastening and fixing the light guide element (20) arranged on the rear side.

2. The vehicle trim component as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fastening is effected by means of at least one tab portion (6) pointing in the rear direction.

3. The vehicle trim component as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the material transitions (7, 10) of the first plastic component (3K) and the second plastic component (4K) are realized continuously and without abrupt wall thickness changes in the region of the material joint formed between the component part (3) made of the first plastic component (3K) and the component part (4) made of the second plastic component (4K).

4. A vehicle trim component as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that a step (9, 12) of at least 0.5mm in height is produced in the front region of the material joint (8, 11).

5. The vehicle trim component as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component part (3) made of the first plastic component (3K) is provided on the front side with a protective layer composite structure (14) formed by at least one paint layer (15, 16).

6. The vehicle trim component as defined in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profiled light region is provided on the front side with a protective layer composite structure (14) formed by at least one paint layer (15, 16).

7. The vehicle trim component as claimed in one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the first lacquer layer (15) is made of a tackified, transparent or tinted translucent material, which is applied without further intermediate layers on the component part (3) made of the first plastic component (3K) and/or the contour light region.

8. The vehicle trim component according to any of the claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the second paint layer (16) is made of a transparent and mechanically and chemically stable material.

9. The vehicle trim component as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the composite formed by the component part (3) made of the first plastic component (3K) and the component part (4) made of the second plastic component (4K) is produced together with the interior component carrier (23) by means of an adhesive or welded connection.

10. A method for producing a vehicle trim component with a contour light (2), wherein the trim component (1) is produced as a material-locked composite from at least two plastic components (3K, 4K) in a multicomponent method, wherein a first plastic component (3K) of the at least two plastic components (3K, 4K) is produced from a galvanically coatable or lacquerable material and forms the trim component (1), and a second plastic component (4K) of the at least two plastic components (3K, 4K) is produced from a transparent or translucent and galvanically inert material and forms a contour light region which can be transilluminated by a light guide element (20), wherein the second plastic component (4K) is arranged adjacent to the first plastic component on the rear side of the first plastic component (3K) and partially covers the rear side of the first plastic component (3K), and the component part (3) produced from the first plastic component (3K) is responsible for fastening and fixing the light guide element (20) arranged on the rear side,

the method comprises the following steps:

a) In a multicomponent injection molding method, a connection is established between a first plastic component (3K) of the at least two plastic components (3K, 4K) which is made of a galvanically coatable or lacquerable material and a second plastic component (4K) which is made of a transparent or translucent galvanically inert material;

b) Electroplating or painting the composite produced in step a), the electroplated layer or paint layer being formed only on the first plastic component (3K);

c) The electroplated or lacquered composite body is subjected to a front-side surface treatment.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the surface treatment comprises activating the front side surface with a low pressure plasma in a plasma apparatus.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the surface treatment comprises activating the front side surface in the plasma apparatus at a negative pressure of 0.15mbar with water vapor as process gas.

13. The method of any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the surface treatment comprises: the front side of the component part (3) made of the first plastic component (3K) is provided with a protective layer composite structure (14) formed by at least one paint layer (15, 16) for the electroplated or lacquered composite body.

14. The method of any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the surface treatment comprises: a protective layer composite (14) formed by at least one paint layer (15, 16) is provided on the front side for the contour light region.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that a first paint layer (15) made of a thickened, transparent or dyed translucent material is applied on the front side on the electroplated or lacquered composite body, more precisely without further intermediate layers, on the component part (3) made of the first plastic component (3K) and/or the contour light region.

16. Method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that a second paint layer (16) made of a transparent and mechanically and chemically stable material is applied on the front side on the electroplated or painted composite.